The training grounds had turned into a battlefield once again.
Students and instructors stood far away from the center of the field, watching nervously.
In the middle of the cracked stone courtyard stood two figures.
Ren Akatsuki.
And the Storm Hunter, Raizen.
Electricity crackled across Raizen's body, small bolts striking the ground around him.
Opposite him, shadows spread outward from Ren's feet like dark smoke.
Behind Ren, the towering figure of Shade stood silently.
The air between them felt heavy.
Raizen stretched his neck slightly and smiled.
"So this is the famous shadow servant."
His eyes moved up and down Shade's massive body.
"Impressive."
Shade's glowing eyes locked onto him.
"If you attack my master…"
The creature's deep voice echoed across the field.
"I will erase you."
Raizen laughed loudly.
"I like the confidence."
Captain Kael stood near the edge of the field with several instructors.
"No one interfere," he ordered.
"This is Ren's fight."
Lyra frowned.
"You're seriously letting this happen?"
Kael nodded.
"Ren needs to learn the level of the outside world."
Back on the battlefield, Raizen slowly raised his hand.
Lightning gathered around his fingers.
"You ready?"
Ren answered calmly.
"Yes."
Raizen disappeared.
A bolt of lightning shot forward across the field.
CRACK.
Ren moved at the same time.
His shadow surged upward like a wall.
BOOM.
Lightning smashed into darkness.
The explosion cracked the ground beneath them.
Raizen burst through the smoke with incredible speed.
His fist aimed directly at Ren's chest.
Ren twisted his body and dodged.
The lightning punch struck the ground instead.
The stone floor shattered.
Raizen immediately followed with a kick.
Ren blocked it with his arm, but the force pushed him several meters backward.
Students gasped.
"That speed…"
Raizen grinned.
"You're quick."
Ren didn't respond.
The shadows beneath his feet expanded again.
They spread across half the battlefield.
Raizen noticed immediately.
"Oh?"
"Trying to control the field?"
Ren raised his hand.
The shadows moved like living creatures.
Several sharp spikes shot upward from the ground toward Raizen.
Raizen jumped into the air.
Lightning exploded beneath his feet as he launched himself higher.
From above, he extended his arm.
A massive bolt of lightning formed in his palm.
"Let's see how you handle this."
He threw the lightning downward.
CRASH.
The bolt struck the center of the battlefield.
The explosion sent dust and debris flying everywhere.
Students shielded their eyes.
Lyra whispered nervously.
"Ren…"
The smoke slowly cleared.
In the middle of the destroyed ground stood Shade.
The massive shadow servant had raised both arms.
The lightning strike had hit him directly.
But he remained standing.
Small cracks of energy flickered across his shadow body.
Raizen raised an eyebrow.
"You blocked it."
Shade's voice was calm.
"Your attacks are weak."
Raizen laughed again.
"Now you're just insulting me."
Ren stepped out from behind Shade.
Completely unharmed.
The shadows around his body had grown darker.
Raizen noticed the change immediately.
"Oh."
"Your power is increasing."
Ren looked directly at him.
"You're holding back."
Raizen's smile faded slightly.
"You noticed."
He rolled his shoulders.
"Fine."
The lightning around him suddenly intensified.
Dark storm clouds began forming above the academy.
Even the instructors looked surprised.
Varis whispered.
"He's summoning an actual storm."
Raizen's eyes glowed with excitement.
"Let's raise the stakes."
Lightning bolts struck the ground around him repeatedly.
His body was now surrounded by violent electricity.
"This is my real power."
Ren stepped forward.
The shadows beneath the battlefield suddenly expanded even further.
They covered the entire courtyard.
Shade moved beside him like a silent giant.
Raizen laughed loudly.
"Yes."
"That's exactly what I wanted."
The storm hunter pointed directly at Ren.
"Show me the power of the Shadow King."
The sky roared with thunder.
Lightning flashed across the battlefield.
And both fighters prepared to unleash their true strength.